Improvement in bustles



UNITED STATES PATENT `OEErcE.

JOHNBROUGHTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BVUSTLES.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 108,873, dated November 1, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, JOHN BROUGHTON, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bustles, ot' which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, ret'- erence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ot this specication, and in which- Figure l represents a longitudinal or face view ot' a flexible waistband, with the springs ot' which the bustle is composed therein, but prior to their being sprung over and united at their ends. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the complete bustle as itappears when attached to the waist of the wearer, and Fig. 3 a vertical section through the center of the bustle from front to rear.

i Similar letters ot' reference indicate corresponding parts.

In construction and arrangementof its parts, my improved bustle is extremly simple, consistin g merely of a series of light and straight springs or wires of irregular lengths, attached about midway of their lengths to a waistband and in positions at right angles, or thereabout, to the line of the band. rlhe free end of these springs are afterward sprung over until they meet, and are fastened together at their extremities by metal clasps or other suitable means. The springs thus formed are double and assume somewhat the shape of an elongated balloon, the semicircular end being the part attached to band, and the elongated or pointed double end extending backward and downward to form the trail or flare of the bustle. The series of springs so formed and attached to the waistband are then connected together by a tape or web clasped or otherwise fastened -to their outwardly-projecting ends and extending around the bustle in a circumferential direction until it intersects the waistband, at which points the'band and the tape are se cured together by sewing or other suitable means.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A is the waistband, which is double-that is, of two thicknesses, or of one thickness folded over longitudinally so as to form two thicknesses, the upper edge being closed, and the lower edge, which is curved, being open prior to insertion of the wires or straight springs'B. Ou a line about an inch (more or less) be low the upper and closed edge of the band a series ofperforations are made, through which,

in the rear or outward thickness only, the upper ends of the springs B are passed or threaded to a distance about midway ot' their lengths, the portions ot' thel springs immediately below the perforations being inclosed between the two thicknesses of the band. Thus arranged, the straight springs and theband are fastened together by metal clasps or buttons a a, which have the effect of riveting thev The free springs and band firmly together. ends of each spring are then brought together and fastened, so that they cannot slide upon each other longitudinally. The springs thus attached and disposed severally assume the form' shown in section at Fig. 3, in which the under or lower halt' of the spring, while restraining and holding the upper half in its proper shape and position, forms a prop or support to it, whereby a series ot' such springs, although made of very light and flexible material, are capable of bearing up and sustaining the weight of a comparatively heavy dress.

C is the circumferential tape or web which forms the lateral connection of the outer and lower ends of the double springs, and b the point or points at which it intersects the horizontal line of the waistband.

In this bustle, as in another, one which 1 have invented and made application for Letters Patent on, I use light and straight springs, which, in contradist-inction to havingatixed set given them, are merely sprung and restrained to their proper form and-position without impairing their elasticity and capacity to assume their normal straight lines; but the construction or arrangement is different, springs of a double form here being used, and a tension-cloth to hold them in position being dispensed with, which economizes the cost of manufacture, and the entire weight of the dress is similarly borne up and sustained by and from the waistband alone.

What is here claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the waistband A, of the springs B, attached intermediately of their lengths to said band, and sprung andunited together at their free ends and connected laterally with each other and with the waistband by a web or tape, O, substantially as specified.

JOHN ERoUeE'ToN.

Witnesses z FRED. HAYNEs, ARTHUR KINNIER. 

